Gel-Cutting Tool

[lieperjp]

I was wondering what everyone uses to cut gels... The knife on my Leatherman works well, or I use a scissors if I only need to cut one gel. Interested in finding other tools, though, as there are times when I don't have my Leatherman or a scissors in the vicinity. I was thinking about trying the papercutters in my school's student workroom...

[soundlight]

You need a paper cutter that can take a full sheet of gel along either dimension (so at least 2' square or larger) that does nothing except cut gel. It shouldn't be used for paper or transparencies or anything else. In my opinion, this is one of tne of the most important tools for any electrics shop.

[porkchop]

I'm going to second the paper cutter. At PTC we have all the common sizes laid out in spike tape so you never need to measure anything just line it up with the appropriate make and go nuts.

[soundman]

I like using rotary paper trimmers like this http://www.vivid-online.com/products/4675/237 better. Seems to stay sharper longer and I find it quicker.

[LD4Life]

Wow, I just must be in the dark ages with my scissors. I have never even heard of using a paper cutter. May have to look into that.

[gafftapegreenia]

I prefer to use a paper cutter, of course that isn't always an option.

Scissors are useful, especially if you have a nice sharp pair. I have not used a rotary cutter.

A did a number on my Gerber pocket knife cutting gels. It is in need a re-sharpening and the tip got a bit rounded. If anything, I'd be using utility razor knives instead of pocket or multi-tool knives.

[Spikesgirl]

I'm another paper cutter vote. We made a light cart that actually has a paper cutter attached to it (it also has the gel frames sizes traced onto it so there's no miscommunication when it comes to what size to cut - they just need to know what they are gelling.) We just drag it to wherever we are working and there we are - in a pinch I will use shears, mostly just to trim though. It takes too long otherwise when you doing a bunch of one-color cuts.

Charlie

[derekleffew]

I agree with soundman. Rotary paper trimmers are safer than guillotine models, generally less expensive, and the blades are replaceable.
Different colors of tape at 6.25", 7.5", and 10" also are a big help.

[Charc]

Originally Posted by gafftapegreenia

I prefer to use a paper cutter, of course that isn't always an option.
Scissors are useful, especially if you have a nice sharp pair. I have not used a rotary cutter.
A did a number on my Gerber pocket knife cutting gels. It is in need a re-sharpening and the tip got a bit rounded. If anything, I'd be using utility razor knives instead of pocket or multi-tool knives.

I lent out my gerber, someone used the scissors... to cut metal wire, repeatedly.

It don't cut good no more...

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

I lent out my gerber, someone used the scissors... to cut metal wire, repeatedly.

It don't cut good no more...

Remove the scissors, send them back to Fiskars, and they will replace them. You don't need to send in the whole multi-tool. While it's apart, it may be a good time to think about moving some of the blades around to an order that more suits your uses.